Forto denies accusations: SNSD ministers blocked the initiative

(Patria) - Following the announcements by the Logistics Consortium of Bosnia and Herzegovina accusing the Minister of Transport and Communications of BiH, Edin Forto, of failing to meet their conditions, the Ministry stated that it is not true that the Ministry remained silent for 70 days and that the last meeting with representatives of carriers was held on August 14.

The Ministry stated that they initiated regular meetings and communication as an expression of partnership, in order, as they emphasize, to jointly reach solutions that are in the interest of carriers, although they were pointed out from the beginning that their motives and those of the Consortium are not the same.

- Aware of constitutional and legal competencies, and appreciating the fact that improvement in the field of transport requires coordinated work of several state institutions, Minister Edin Forto proposed to the Council of Ministers of BiH the formation of a Committee for Transport Facilitation. The fact that the SNSD ministers blocked the initiative, with the leadership of the Consortium publicly supporting them, raises the question of why there is an avoidance of a systemic solution and coordination of all competent institutions, which also opens space for discussion about the motives behind announcements full of untruths - stated the Ministry.

They added that, regardless of the further actions of any association, the Ministry will continue to adopt measures within its competence that carriers expect, which include issuing a third registration plate within 72 hours – amendments to the Rulebook on Vehicle Registration have been drafted and the legally prescribed consultation process with competent institutions is underway. Adoption of the amendments is expected in September.


After that, licensing and administrative procedures will be carried out, and amendments to the rulebook are in the final phase. Furthermore, the entry of professional driver qualification (Code 95) – the rulebook is finalized and publication follows in October, the platform for digital CEMT and instructions for use – translations into languages in use in BiH have been secured and the system is operational, and finally digitalization (eCMR – electronic consignment note) – the Ministry's initiative has been approved and an international agreement is being concluded.

- The Ministry of Communications and Transport cannot influence the right of professional drivers to stay in the EU, which is defined by the Schengen Agreement. The Ministry is also not competent for issues of excise duties, customs regimes, and entity tolls. Drivers and their representatives know very well who is responsible for what, so it is unusual that they rarely or never mention this in their requests. We call on representatives of carriers to clearly and unambiguously inform the public about both the initial demands and their current status of resolution - stated the Ministry of Transport and Communications of BiH.

They also added that they support any legal protest.

- We just wonder, if the stay of drivers in Schengen is a regional problem of all Western Balkan countries, who exactly are we blocking within BiH and who are we addressing? - they conclude.